Disgraced former Leicestershire County Council leader David Parsons has agreed to pay back almost £2,400 for using the authority’s official limo on non-civic excursions.

The Blaby councillor who recently joined the UK Independence Party will pay the money back in installments up to September.

The first installment of £285.93 due on February 1 was received late on Friday February 7.

In November county councillors were told Mr Parsons had not accepted liability for the debt owed by him following the independent investigator’s conclusion he used the official car and chauffeur inappropriately.

However in a report to the county’s corporate governance committee councillors were told negotiations between legal teams for each party had thrashed out a settlement - despite Mr Parsons still continuing to dispute the debt.

Mr Parsons was forced to resign in July 2012 after nine years as leader following controversy over his travel expenses.

He quit the Tory party in November 2012 and was subject to an 18 month police investigation into alleged financial irregularities. A whistle-blower claimed Mr Parsons had delayed reimbursing the council with costs claimed for European travel.

Despite the lengthy inquiry police dropped the case against him in January but the county continued to pursue him for the £3,670 deemed owed from 26 trips he made using the council’s chauffeur-driven car during his time as leader.

A further two trips were classified as inappropriate use of the council chauffeur, given the short distances involved.

A county spokesman’s said the reduced settlement figure of £2,386.93 was agreed in the interests of reaching a legal agreement and avoiding further court costs.

Mr Parsons who represents the Blaby district council ward of Muxloe signed up to UKIP recently along with his councillor wife, Elizabeth.

Speaking on his move Mr Parsons said: “For many years I have served the people of Leicestershire as both a county and a district councillor and it has been an honour.

“Since resigning from the Conservative Party 18 months ago I have served as an independent councillor at Blaby District Council but now feel the time is right to align myself to UKIP.”